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Apple Hints At Near-Field Payments System In Next-Gen iPhone, iPad
An anonymous reader writes "The smartphone seems to be well on its way to becoming the next wallet; and Apple could be pushing that movement along. Reports from several outlets suggest the Cupertino, Calif.-based electronics giant has plans to put a near-field communications chip in the next versions of the iPhone and iPad for contactless payments technology. The latest report, from blog Apple Insider, says Apple has put up two job postings for two global payment platforms managers."
Several people commented on the ads and tracking cookies and whatnot on that site. Here's an alternate article on the same topic.
I installed adblock but then extricated it again, because I felt guilty. Ads are what pay for my free internet, free movies/dramas (TV), and free music (radio). I'd sooner deal with them than deal with a monthly subscription.
Information wants to be expensive AND wants to be free. So you have Value vs. Cheap distribution fighting each other.
First Steve Jobs invents the computer. Then he invents the GUI. Then he invents the MP3 player. Then he invent the cell phone. Then he invents the tablet computer. Now he invents NFC. The man is single-handedly inventing everything!
"Near-field" isn't the issue. It's that Apple wants to be a payment processor, handling payments through iTunes and skimming off part of the transaction.
We need a crackdown on payment systems run by non-banks. PayPal is generally agreed to be terrible at handling problems and acts irresponsibly with the money of others. Most of PayPal's competitors are worse. Payment systems need to be run only by companies subject to regulation as banks.